Commentary
I never saw him in a Gorilla suit — or in a helmet for that matter. (Though I’m told he played these parts very well). But the penny loafers were ubiquitous. And Darmanesque? Well, for those who knew Richard Gordon Darman on the Island, Darmanesque meant being insightful, thoughtful, perspicacious — and just about always right.
Unwise Choice
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
ISLAND HOME FLAWS
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
This letter has been sent to Wayne Lamson, general manager at the Steamship Authority:
My family and I have had occasion to travel on the new Island Home several times since she was introduced to the run between the Vineyard and Woods Hole. Although she does emulate — in some ways — our much-loved and missed Islander (the double-ended configuration and drive-through, etc.), she has some very curious design and construction features. Here are a few things that I noticed.
Fiscal Squeeze
In Aquinnah, the hours of operation have shrunk for the town landfill and the library. In Oak Bluffs, the town is facing an operating deficit of as much as $2 million.
The scale may be different. But the service cutbacks in Aquinnah and the serious fiscal shortfall in Oak Bluffs are part of the same picture: a slowing economy, rising costs and Island towns caught in the middle.
Investigating a Tragedy
When Benjamin Sutherland, an eighteen-year-old high school graduate, fell thirty feet from the rigging of the sailing vessel Alabama on a calm day in July two thousand six and later died from his injuries, the Coast Guard launched an investigation into what had happened and what, if anything, could have prevented the tragedy.
In a careful and thorough report, the service now has concluded that no violations of Coast Guard rules occurred.
CONSERVE TOWN BYWAYS
Editors, Vineyard Gazette:
On Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church, Edgartown will hold a special town meeting to add five ancient paths to the protective status of special ways.
The town byways committee and the planning board have been working to protect these ways for nearly 20 years and now hope to add the five ancient ways: Ben Toms, Middle Line, Pennywise Path, Tar Kiln and Watcha Path to one already protected by a DCPC, the Dr. Fisher Road.